An inquest into the death of Grant Steven Bowden (47), which began at the Dunedin District Court this morning, will review his treatment while at the Otago Corrections Facility near Milton and whether the events that led to the tragedy were preventable.
The man was assaulted during an incident in the exercise yard on November 3 in 2017 and his head smashed on concrete when he fell.
Medical staff were able to save Mr Bowden’s life by removing part of his skull to relieve the pressure built up by his brain swelling.
The extent of the injury meant he could breathe unassisted but was unable to swallow food or fluids, the court heard.
He was discharged from intensive care after 12 days and later transferred to a long-term residential facility in West Auckland.
Forensic pathologist Dr Martin Sage said it was only a pyrrhic victory because of the extremely severe nature of the brain injury.
The outlook for Mr Bowden was described as “dismal”.
He later developed a chest infection and was admitted to Waitakere Hospital where he deteriorated and died of multiple organ system failure on December 27, 2018.
Dr Sage said there was an “incontrovertible” causal link between the head injury and Mr Bowden’s death.
CCTV footage of the incident showed Mr Bowden standing beside a wire fence while other inmates exercise and talk.
Heke moves over and they appear to have a conversation.
Mr Bowden adopts a fighting stance and the pair come together briefly before separating.
Minutes later, however, there is further posturing and Mr Bowden aims punches and kicks at Heke, who dodges the blows.
When he throws a flurry of punches in response, one connects with the victim and he falls backwards onto the concrete, his head taking the brunt of the impact.
Body-cam footage from a Corrections officer showed staff waiting outside the exercise yard urging lingering inmates to leave so medical care could be administered.
The court was shown film of several people assisting Mr Bowden as blood pooled around him before paramedics arrive.
Nyal Heke (34) pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to injure and in October 2018 he had 15 months added to a lengthy prison term he was already serving.
The sentencing took place just a couple of months before Mr Bowden’s death.
Heke’s counsel Adriana Pinnock said her client – who is still behind bars - had spoken to staff the day before the incident, complaining the man had been trying to pick a fight with him and suggesting he be moved to another unit.
She said he made “no excuses” for his actions, though, and had apologised to the victim’s family.
Heke still had nightmares about the incident, she told the court.
Mr Bowden, who suffered from schizophrenia, had been remanded in custody on burglary charges a couple of weeks before the incident and was initially placed in the at-risk unit at the prison. He was later moved into a remand unit at his request.
A nurse recorded Mr Bowden as being “anxious, shaky” and said he appeared distressed.
Counsel Owen Jaques read a statement on behalf of Mr Bowden’s family.
“He made up the fabric of the family, he brought us together and at times his behaviour pulled us apart,” he said.
“[It] may have appeared as a tragic and inevitable end to a chaotic existence but he was a truly valued member of the Bowden family.”
Despite his challenges, they said he enriched their lives.
“Ultimately, Grant taught us about unconditional love you have for family,” he said.
The inquest, before Coroner Allie Cunninghame, is scheduled to last two weeks.
